TCS fresher hiring: TCS test will score freshers to make recruitment easier | India Business News – Times of India

BENGALURU: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has rolled out an online national qualifier test (NQT) for freshers that corporates can use for their hiring. The NQT is modelled on the lines of a SAT score, a standardised test widely used for college admissions in the United States. The NQT will test core cognitive capabilities, but also plans to get into industry-specific knowledge, and specialisation on skills required for performing particular job roles.
Several corporates, including Croma, Titan, Kirloskar and Godrej, have shown interest in using the NQT score for their fresher recruitment. TCS is in the process of signing MOUs with companies.
“We have democratised the test from a talent standpoint (since it is online and can be taken by anyone). It’ll redefine the way corporates will hire in the future,” said TCS iON global head Venguswamy Ramaswamy.
iON is the division of TCS that is spearheading NQT. Introduced in 2018, NQT has been used only by TCS so far. More than 3.6 lakh students from over 2,600 colleges have taken NQT. The platform’s objective was to reduce the cycle time for recruitment to 3-4 weeks and enable students across the country to take part.
This year, TCS has opened the platform for other corporates to use.

Test open to young professionals as well
The test is open to young professionals with up to two years of experience, as well as students from any stream enrolled in pre-final or final year of undergraduate or postgraduate programmes. TCS will charge the students who take the test, but keep it free for corporates. “Many corporates are willing to return the test fee after they recruit a candidate,” Ramaswamy said. The test can be taken from home or from designated centres. The NQT score has a two-year validity.
NQT will evaluate students on core cognitive competency – their ability to comprehend written content, their understanding of basic arithmetic, and their logical and critical thinking capabilities.
A subject NQT, focused on programming, is being planned, keeping in mind the huge demand for this skill in the IT industry. “We are talking to banks, insurance and manufacturing sectors too. TCS iON intends to continuously improve the test design to provide employers with a better understanding of candidates’ abilities,” Ramaswamy said.
TCS will charge the students who take the test, but keep it free for corporates.